Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

ALBANY – Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman announced on Thursday a series of reforms that will address what he said are injustices within New York’s bail system.

The reforms, which will be implemented later this fall, come at a time when there are tens of thousands of pretrial defendants detained in jails statewide because they cannot afford to post bail.

In New York City, nearly 50,000 defendants are detained each year because they cannot post bail, Lippman said. Ninety percent of those for whom bail is imposed do not make bail at arraignment, and half of those defendants remain in jail for the entire duration of their case, according to the state’s courts system.

“With the reforms announced today, we will make major strides in overhauling our broken system of bail,” Lippman said in a statement. “Reforming the institution of bail in New York will go a long way toward ensuring that our justice system not only protects the public safety, but also is fair and just for each and every New Yorker ? rich and poor alike.”

The reforms come after Lippman has been unable to get the state Legislature to pass law that would allow judges to take into account the defendant’s risk to public safety when setting bail and even release defendants without bail if they pose no risk.

New York is one of four states that do not allow the judge to take the risk of public safety into account.

Lippman, who will be retiring at the end of this year, said he would take independent action to enact some changes during a during a speech before the Citizens Crime Commission in Manhattan.

The reforms include four key measures: automatic judicial review of bail for misdemeanor cases; periodic review of bail for felony cases; a pilot electronic supervision program in Manhattan Criminal Court; and allowing judges accept alternative forms of bail.

“The need for reform, by any standard, is stronger than ever.” Lippman said in his speech. “We cannot wait to act for one second longer, and, as the steward of the Judiciary, I will not wait to act when it is within my ability to do so.”